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Palestine and Arab Nationalism AMERICAN power and, hence, its role in the Middle East is important. But that of Arab nationalism is more so. Its weakness lies in its failure, indeed inability, to bring into action the force of the Arab masses, as, apparently...		Old demons with new faces ONCE again, and for the umpteenth time, we are poised to go courting the elusive democracy, despite all the humiliations we suffered at her hands in the past. The nature of masochism was best explained when I spoke to someone....
Of hollow slogans THE vanquisher of the worlds, and conqueror of the continents, our victorious Khaqan Salamat appeared on projected balcony of his palace, and waved to a sea of cheering multitude. The starving men, women, and children in tatters on beholding his glowing face raised slogans: “Long live Khaqan Salamat, long live Khaqan Salamat....		Discovering ourselves through magic MAGIC is a word that encapsulates the purest of joys or wonders experienced by the human spirit. It is the most beautiful feeling that lifts a soul to heights, never imagined....
A new Japanese consul-general with a passion for antiques FROM jazzy and joyful New Orleans in the south of the US to conventional Karachi is a long leap. But the new Consul General of Japan Kanji Hanagato took 35 years...		It was time to remember Keats I WAS to go back to Lahore a few weeks later in circumstances not so much as dramatic as cloak and dagger. I received a telephone call from Col Majeed Malik,...
The bane of homework “A TADPOLE changes into a frog and a caterpillar changes into a butterfly,” the teacher explained. “Now find more examples of metamorphosis and explain them. This is your home assignment for...		Growing up with Senor Kon Tiki SENOR Kon Tiki left for his last voyage on Thursday. It was in 1952 in Aligarh that I became acquainted with Senor Kon Tiki. My elder cousin Salloo Bhai gave me a book on Senor Kon Tiki, instead of Wodehouse’s Ukridge, which I wanted to borrow from him. When I began reading that, I could not put it down...
Guilty until proven innocent ALL leaders have an impact on their countries and nations but few could match the devastating legacy General Zia has left behind — no reference to referendum recently held to ‘elect’...		The killer mountain WE made an early morning start to the base camp, as we needed to cross two glaciers before they warmed up too much and became raging torrents. We climbed gradually, then steeply up a goat track until we reached the glacier....
FATA in acute need of development THE present government’s reform package for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) seems a good omen for the political, social and economic development of the area. Changes in FATA are indispensable...		Fracas on Fifth Avenue ON a sun-swept morning, winding their way through hills and vales of blossoms so becoming — each a piece of art — Naushaba and Shahab could hardly wait to arrive at...
Population dilemma WHEN Rousseau and William Godwin raised the issue of means of subsistence in the 18th century, very little importance was given to their theories. But when Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834) discussed...		Strange encounters OUR everyday life is a routine, preprogrammed for what we have to do, and in many instances we even meet almost the same people everyday. The monotony is, however, broken sometimes...
Changing tides IN the history of revolutions and uprisings that have taken place all across the globe, it are generally the socio-economic conditions in the regions concerned that play a major role. Even...		A casual chalk-talk THE aura surrounding the word ‘education’ has assumed the proportions of such a heavyweight champion that a bantamweight dilettante like myself, when entering the ring, must feel like nothing more than...
Courage to know and understand LIKE the Aligarians, the Ravians, too, appear to be very nostalgic about their past. How fondly they talk of the good old days at the Government College, Lahore. They are easily...		Partition in history IN our daily life we experience the process of partition in case of property when there is dispute among the claimants. It is customary that to settle disputes of land, building...
Football fever LIKE the previous qualifying matches of the football World Cup, Pakistan was ousted in the very first round after being pitched against Lebanon, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Thailand surged for the...		Inzamam all the way! IN the last two columns I had been a bit critical of the national team, but, remember, it was in the One Day context. For now, I guess, it is time...
Promoting the game at regional level THE setting was primitive and the standard of games, at best, was little, if anything, beyond the odd club game. But all this tool nothing away from the spirit in which the four-nation tournament was played in Mayanmar where I had gone recently as the Technical...		From the land of manners WHEN I was a child, I always scoffed at the rigorous training in manners my parents insisted upon. As a child, it seemed odd that my parents and teachers wanted my siblings and I to act like gentlemen. We were taught to thank Allah...
Freedom unmatched THE international community maintains a false impression about Pakistan that it is a undemocratic, close-minded, and restrictive society. They feel that freedom of thought, expression and action is limited here. There...		Awakening call of the week THIS refers to Image of the week, which appeared on April 21, 2002. It was not only interesting, but also served as a wake up call to those groups working on...
MOSAIC: Pressure drop HIGH blood pressure, or hypertension, affects up to 30 per cent of the adult population in the United Kingdom. Worryingly, this condition, dubbed the silent killer, is usually symptomless. Dr Graham...		Newsmaker FOR Mayanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it has been a long walk to freedom. For more than ten years now, she has led the democracy movement in her native land. Most of the time however, she has proved to be the thorn that...